Election Year or Fear!

[MadAmster]

It means exactly what it says in this context…electronically retrievable.
I’m not offering any defence of those currently under scrutiny. If they’re stupid enough to make such ill judged comments in such circumstances they deserve to be sacked. They’re a disgrace.
Just puzzled that other messages apparently cannot be retrieved/recovered especially if what you say is correct as I believe it to be.

Mark Rutte, when he was Dutch PM, used an old Nokia 301 for communication. Max 20 texts so he was continually deleting. He didn't use whatsapp. He had a smart phone to keep up with the news but didn't use it for texts and didn't have whatsapp. Whenever he looked like being pushed into a corner, the texts had long gone and, whatever the subject matter was, he had no active memory of what had been said.

[Andy_Faber]

I’m no expert, but how is it that all these Tweets and WhatsApp messages suddenly seem so recoverable? Didn’t Johnson ‘lose’ something like 5000 over Covid alone? Even Rebecca Vardy got away with ‘dropping’ her phone in the North Sea and she generally seems as dim as a TocH lamp.

I think we all know/strongly believe that both of those were the guilty covering their tracks. Allegedly

On a more general point, isn?t it human nature (not an especially attractive one I?ll admit) for groups to form and demean others verbally, exaggerating any actions they might actually take? Anyone not guilty of such a crime, please raise their hand now.

[ramAnag]

I think we all know/strongly believe that both of those were the guilty covering their tracks. Allegedly

On a more general point, isn?t it human nature (not an especially attractive one I?ll admit) for groups to form and demean others verbally, exaggerating any actions they might actually take? Anyone not guilty of such a crime, please raise their hand now.

I’m sure it probably is, AF. Although I can honestly say that investigation of my WhatsApp history will not find any racist or ageist comments. I’m also inclined to avoid saying things about people that I wouldn’t be prepared to say to their face.

Beyond that, people in the public eye should have more sense than to make such comments. Even Gordon Brown - as decent a politician as you’ll find - was caught our referring to a woman as a ‘bigot’ (which was quite possibly true imo) and that went a long way to losing the 2010 election. They just don’t seem to learn.

[Trickytreesreds]

I?m sure it probably is, AF. Although I can honestly say that investigation of my WhatsApp history will not find any racist or ageist comments. I?m also inclined to avoid saying things about people that I wouldn?t be prepared to say to their face.

Beyond that, people in the public eye should have more sense than to make such comments. Even Gordon Brown - as decent a politician as you?ll find - was caught our referring to a woman as a ?bigot? (which was quite possibly true imo) and that went a long way to losing the 2010 election. They just don?t seem to learn.

You mean in your opinion, that anyone daring to criticise or question immigration is a bigot, in an attempt to shut them up and divert the problem away?
this was 2010 and no where near the fiasco it is now.
Even Brown regretted his words and apologised Though her question was in light of Blairs flooding for new voters campaign.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8649853.stm

Ironically, this is about to blow up in Labours face, as the immigrant vote has its own agenda now. This will spread, as Islam becomes a political ideology in UK politics.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/new...unces-30860329

[ramAnag]

You mean in your opinion, that anyone daring to criticise or question immigration is a bigot, in an attempt to shut them up and divert the problem away?
this was 2010 and no where near the fiasco it is now.
Even Brown regretted his words and apologised Though her question was in light of Blairs flooding for new voters campaign.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...10/8649853.stm

Ironically, this is about to blow up in Labours face, as the immigrant vote has its own agenda now. This will spread, as Islam becomes a political ideology in UK politics.

https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/new...unces-30860329

Not exactly Tricky. If I remember correctly she did appear a tad bigoted and her objections were to Eastern European migrants and having to pay tax as a pensioner. I think all Brown referred to her as was ‘a sort of bigoted woman’ who shouldn’t have got so close, but it was a long time ago and the point was that people don’t seem to have learned about public figures making unguarded comments in an age when so much is recorded.

[swaledale]

Not exactly Tricky. If I remember correctly she did appear a tad bigoted and her objections were to Eastern European migrants and having to pay tax as a pensioner. I think all Brown referred to her as was ‘a sort of bigoted woman’ who shouldn’t have got so close, but it was a long time ago and the point was that people don’t seem to have learned about public figures making unguarded comments in an age when so much is recorded.

She was completely ignorant on the subject of immigration. like so many are, including our "red friend", mind you ignorance one can understand, its the stupidity of some, mentioning no names that is so sad. Especially when they display this stupidity proudly on the internet, parroting stuff they ahve read or heard on the internet without any reference to reality or facts.

[Geoff Parkstone]

You comment re Gordon Browns observation is very pertinent. So many of the "outted" comments actually resonate with a wider audience, and are likely repeated down the pub regularly BUT when in public office you need to keep your gob (or fingers) closed as an act of self preservation. Such comments will only ever be used against you and never in a good way.

[ramAnag]

You comment re Gordon Browns observation is very pertinent. So many of the "outted" comments actually resonate with a wider audience, and are likely repeated down the pub regularly BUT when in public office you need to keep your gob (or fingers) closed as an act of self preservation. Such comments will only ever be used against you and never in a good way.

I completely agree, but Brown’s comment was ‘overheard’ almost 15 years ago and the age of electronic communication is hardly new so they really do seem worryingly thick to be caught out in this way.
All makes me very glad that the more ‘contentious’ period of my life was lived before everyone with a phone became part of the covert press corps.

[Geoff Parkstone]

I completely agree, but Brown’s comment was ‘overheard’ almost 15 years ago and the age of electronic communication is hardly new so they really do seem worryingly thick to be caught out in this way.
All makes me very glad that the more ‘contentious’ period of my life was lived before everyone with a phone became part of the covert press corps.

With you on that...it's the addition of cameras on phones that I find most intrusive / insidious which, coupled with widespread social media, means it's dangerous to say or do anything outside the sanctity of ones own home: or even in it if you are stupid enough to do so via the internet intrusions into your own home eg WhatsApp.

There are many positives to be had from easier communications via t'interweb but F*** me you have to be so careful otherwise it will gobble you up and spit you out in little pieces

[SithHappens]

brown definitely did no worse than most of us would, he just got caught.

Shame. He's a decent guy in my view. Still didn't vote for him though so no left wing blinkers